a. [f. TOP sb.1 + -MOST.] Uppermost, highest. Also absol., highest part.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, VII. 99. A swarm of bees … Upon the topmost branch in clouds alight.
1753. Derby Mercury, 8 June, 4/1. The Monkey then no longer contained itself, but immediately mounting the Tree, began with all its Might to tear off the Bark, beginning from the topmost Branches, downwards.
1768. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 668. An ambition of … gaining the topmost summit of it.
1807. Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 442. Susan … had some pride Among our topmost people to preside.
1827–35. Willis, Scholar of Thebet Ben Khorat, 228. Wisdom sits alone, Top-most in heaven.
1875. Morris, Æn., XII. 493. The eager-driven spear Smote on his helm, and shore away the top-most of his crest.
1899. E. J. Chapman, Drama of Two Lives, 17. The topmost peaks were still aflame With the red sunset’s dying glow.
